The Pyrenees in Snowier Times
First the Rockies then the Alps have had their big snowfalls to start the season, but so far it's not looking so great in the Pyrenees.
None of France's two-dozen ski areas in the southern European mountain range which divides France and Spain have opened for the season yet, and the large resorts in Spain have been uncharacteristically quiet too.
Although ski areas in Andorra have opened, terrain available is limited. At Grandvalira temperatures have been hitting 13C and the last snowfall was reported on 2nd December when 5cm (two inches) fell after a warm November.
Currently the snow depth at the highest part of the Pyrenees' largest ski area, which aims to open 205km of runs this season, was reporting snow-depths of 10-35cm. That's at Pas de la Casa, Soldeu and El Tarter' was reporting 0cm.
Things are looking better for later this week with some snow forecast and temperatures dipping to -6 at night – good news for the mighty snowmaking arsenal that needs colder temperatures to operate.